Hey, Butterflies! I'm back with Chapter 22! I hope you all enjoyed the last chapter, and I can't believe that Remember Your Promise is almost over. I've enjoyed writing it, and you all have been amazing. Thank you. Please note that there is some cussing in this chapter, but it is in French. Here's Chapter 22: Should Have Known

Disclaimer: The Secret Saturdays belongs to Jay Stephens and Cartoon Network.

Trigger Warning: Self harm mentioned.

I watch as people leave the common area outside the room in the hostel. Soon, everyone is gone except for one girl with auburn hair and Indigne. I strain to hear what they're saying; I can't make out everything, but I am able to catch parts and pieces of their conversation. Whatever they are talking about, they seem to have met before now. But how does Indigne know this girl? I guess I really did miss a lot over those six years I was at WeirdWorld.

"Lindsey, I don't quite follow. How do they affect me?"

"Because they've been trying to find you for the past four months, and unless you want my father to learn your location, I suggest you keep playing along." Indigne pulls back in shock. "Don't act surprised, Miranda. You know who I am," Lindsey sneers with an American accent now. Wait- Miranda?! This is getting way too complicated.

"No, Lindsey. Dr. Grey died two months ago. She died so I could be free and the others safe."

"That's not how her father will see things." Indigne and Lindsey stand to face the door to the common area. Merde. It's Dr. Beeman, and he has his posse with him. If I look hard enough, I can see Drew in the back looking tired and defeated. I can imagine that all she wants to do is leave Dr. Beeman's team and come back home with the Saturdays. Before, when she knew we thought she was dead, she had no other options, but now that we know, she must be tormented by the fact that she can never see or talk to us until she is done with Dr. Beeman. Stars, I wish someone would just arrest Dr. Beeman. Then I take and closer look and gasp. Next to Drew is Mr. Scheef. How on in the world does this just keep getting more and more complicated?! Scottish Lindsey Campbell is actually American Lindsey Beeman- the daughter of Dr. Beeman, and Indigne is actually Mom but claiming that Mom is dead. Mr. Scheef is somehow connected to Dr. Beeman, and we're all in a small hostel in a small town on a small island. All of a sudden this is not looking good for us.

"Who are you?" I hear Indigne ask.

"Don't play dumb with me, Miranda. You know perfectly well who I am," Dr. Beeman replies.

"I am not Dr. Miranda Grey. She died two months ago. Look it up; it's in public records." Indigne is trying to keep her composure, I can tell, but I can also tell that she is terrified. Honestly, I can't say I blame her. No matter who she is, this situation is scary for her. If she is Mom, this situation is scary because it means that four months of hiding have been wasted, but if she not Mom and actually just an average woman, the situation is scary because she has no idea who the hell these people are. What have I done? I step out of the room and walk down the hallway to get to the common area. Unfortunately, the lights are motion activated, so they turn on, alerting the group that I am coming. So much for the element of surprise.

Before I enter the common area, I poke my head out. Everyone is looking at me, so I saunter out. It's not like I can surprise them at this point. Drew and Indigne both have a look of "is this girl a total idiot?" on their faces. As a matter of fact, in this situation, I am a total idiot. I wave hello to everyone, but nobody waves back; either they're being rude or actually have no idea what to make of me.

"Hello. I heard arguing, so I came to see if everyone is alright."

"Lily, go back to bed. It's almost three in the morning," Indigne says calmly.

"It's only seven at night back home," I explain. Indigne gives a me a look that says I had better not argue. Too late.

"Well, if it isn't Iris Van Rook, or is it Lily Saturday? I really can't tell with you these days," Dr. Beeman says.

"Go to hell, Dr. Beeman."

"Ooh, sass. I like it much more than the meek little servant girl from WeirdWorld." Taking a deep breath, I ignore his comment and turn to Lindsey.

"I thought you were my friend, Lindsey. I thought I could trust you."

"And you could trust me. I was Anonymous. I led you to Drew and Miranda, did I not?"

"But you had a hidden agenda the whole time. That's neither trust nor help; that's manipulation. You used my family and those I care about as pawns in your little game. I may not know what you're planning, but what you did was wrong." I turn to leave. I am done with everyone here. Dr. Beeman and his crew have caused enough problems in my life, and I don't need any more right now. As I am walking out, someone from Dr. Beeman's group mocks me, asking if I'm running back to get my daddy for help. Breathe, Iris- Lily- whatever I am, breathe. Focus. Relax. Don't lose control. My hands ball into fists. Let it go, Iris- Lily. If they came here for a fight, they would have already started one. Just walk away. Breathe.

I'm lying on my bed, the bed still made beneath my body. I want to sleep, but I can't. This is just too confusing. Why was Dr. Beeman here? Who really is Lindsey? She obviously isn't the Scottish girl I knew growing up. And what did they mean when they called Indigne Miranda? None of this makes sense anymore. I sit up and curl into a ball, my head resting on my knees and my arms wrapped around my legs. This is all my fault. They should have just left me at WeirdWorld. Forget any promises. I'm releasing them of those obligations, especially Mom, When she married Dad and adopted me, she promised that she would care for me, love me, and be the mother I never had to me. But death and destruction follow me wherever I go. I can't, in good conscious, continue to hold that promise to her. Here and now, I, Iris Nicole Van Rook, release Dr. Miranda Grey of any obligation and any promises related to me. My arms burn as the urge to cut swells and consumes. And I, Iris Nicole Van Rook and Lilianna Rose Saturday, release myself from my obligation I have to hurt myself. I may have healing powers, but this kind of healing is the kind that magic can't touch.

I, Iris Nicole Van Rook and Lilianna Rose Saturday, vow to henceforth take care of myself and show myself the compassion and love that I try to show others. I, Iris Nicole Van Rook and Lilianna Rose Saturday, vow to heal.

That concludes Chapter 22. I hope it wasn't too confusing or too much. Let me know what you all thought. Thank you all so much for reading. I love you all so much. Don't forget to follow, favorite, and review. And don't forget to love yourself. 3